1. Home STD Test Kits

A home STD test is currently easiest & cheapest way to get tested for STDs. You do not have to visit a lab or a doctor to get a sample taken.

Due to their complete anonymity, home STD test kits work well for those who are shy or embarrassed by the thought of going to a doctor.

The privacy provided by home testing is one of the main reasons for its rising popularity. Cost and convenience are two more.

Pros

Anonymity

Home STD test kits provide anonymity as long as you do not by from places like Amazon. Such stores might not keep your identity anonymous. This can be a problem if you wanted to keep the test private even from family members.

Cost

Home tests also cost less than other means. This is the cheapest STD test you can get. Kits that test for a single STD, such as Chlamydia or Syphilis, can cost as low as 50-60 dollars. A kit that tests for a wide variety of STD starts at around $150.

Convenience

You do not have to visit a lab or make a doctor appointment. The test kit is delivered to you and then you mail back the sample. Results are then made available online in 1-3 days.

That said, home test kits do have their drawbacks.

Cons

Unreliable results

The biggest downside to home STD test kits is reliability. Errors may result from poor handling of the test kit and sample, especially during mailing, and there is no assurance that the labs used by these companies follow stringent standards such as those of a local lab. It’s important to note that the FDA has not endorsed any STD home test kit, citing their high probability of inaccuracy.

Lack of counseling

If you got a positive on the test, there is no one to provide you with guidance on next steps.

Where To Buy A Home STD Test

Unlike most of the cheap test kits sold on Amazon and at your local drugstore, MyLabBox is both highly accurate (because you send your sample back to a lab) and inexpensive. They also offer free consultations if you test positive – something almost no other at-home kit provider offers.

2. Online Test Labs in Houston

If you would like the accuracy of a hospital lab and the privacy of a home test kit, you may want to look at one of the newer online STD test labs that recently became available in the Houston market.

Online STD test labs involve just a little bit more work than a home test kit, but you can trust the accuracy of their results and your privacy is guaranteed.

Pros

Affordable

Online test labs will cost you more than a home test kit, but they are still far below the cost of medical lab work done at a hospital. Depending on which diseases you want to screen for and how quickly you want the test results, online test labs cost between $50 and $300.

Convenient

Once you buy an STD test online, you just need five minutes to provide a sample at a local lab. Results are provided online.

Confidential

You identity is kept confidential throughout the entire process. The purchase process is confidential and when you visit a local lab, you provide a code instead of your name.

Accurate Results

Testing is conducted under rigorous lab conditions, ensuring that the final results are accurate and reliable. The lab processes and standards uses in hospitals are the same ones applied here. There is little to no risk of false positives or negatives with these tests.

Counseling Is Available

Unlike the first option, you are not left to figure out the next step on your own once you test positive. In this case however, you can opt for counseling either by a local health care professional or by phone. Remember, the decision to get counseling is up to you and should you want it, it will be totally confidential.

Cons

An online test lab is more expensive than a home test kit, but still quite affordable.

In fact, some providers give you the option of billing your insurance provider for the cost of the test, leaving you to pay very little out of pocket.

How An Online STD Test Works

The process is quite simple; you buy the test, provide a urine or blood sample at a local lab and then get your results online.

Results often take several days but you can choose for a one-day turnaround for an extra fee.

Rates of STD Infection in Houston vs. US Average

Chlamydia

Since 2012, there has been a steady increase in the occurrence of Chlamydia infection in Houston, increasing from 26,807 cases in 2012 to 35,594 cases in 2016.

This corresponds to a rate of 534.7 per 100,000 in 2016, higher than the US average of 456.1. In 2012, the US average was 474.2 per 100,000.

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea infection rates in Houston are lower than in the rest of the US, and the rate of infection is rising significantly less than the rest of the US.

Gonorrhea infections in Houston averaged 122.7 per 100,000 in 2012 and 155.9 in 2016. During this period, the US gonorrhea increased by 35.1%, from 120.0 to 162.2.

Syphillis

Syphilis is less common in Houston than the rest of the US, but it is on the rise. The rate per 100,000 people in 2012 was 36.4, rising to 42.3 in 2016. The US average was 22.8 in 2012 steadily rising to 36.7 in 2016.

HIV

Houston has a higher rate of HIV infection than the rest of the US, with an average infection rate of 417.5 per 100,000 people vs. the US average of 375.

About This Site

Affiliate Disclosure

I NEVER accept payment or merchandise in exchange for reviews or information written here. Everything on this website is written by me, objectively and with honesty.

That said, I do have an affiliate relationship with some providers of goods and services mentioned on this website, and I may be compensated when you purchase from a provider.

You should always perform due diligence before buying goods or services online.

Amazon Disclosure
This site participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

*Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or its affiliates.